Imphal, December 02: Even though the Apunba Lup has out rightly rejected the offer of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to review the provisions of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and study the ground to replace it with a more humane Act, the five member body constituted to review the Act is scheduled to hold its second meeting on December 8.The Committee constituted on November 19, is headed by former Judge of the Supreme Court Justice Jeeven Reddy while the other members consist of former Vice Chancellor and jurist Dr SB Nakade, former Special Secretary in the Home Affairs, PP Shrivastav, former Director General of Military Operations in the Army Lt General VR Raghavan and journalist and NE expert Sanjoy Hazarika.

A well placed informed The Sangai Express that the second meeting scheduled on December 8 at New Delhi will focus on the various aspects of the methodology to be followed by the Committee and also to visit the North Eastern States, including Manipur to gauge public opinion.

The date for visiting Manipur will be fixed during the meeting on December 8, said the source.

The Prime Minister had given a six month time frame for the Committee to submit its report.

Earlier the first meeting of the review Committee was held at Delhi on November 24.A Home Ministry spokesman then had said that the Committee will be inviting suggestions, opinions, and view points of all groups concerned and organisations including Government agencies and individuals.

An office of the Committee is also in the pipeline with the necessary infrastructure to help it function effectively.

Though the Review Committee is set to hold its second meeting on December 8, the Apunba Lup has already announced its decision to stage a public rally on December 10 against the continued imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act to coincide with the International Day of Human Rights.

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